Abundant dark fruit and spice on the nose with some underlying smells of the garrigue. Soft and appealing on the palate, with generous fruit showing enough underlying structure giving real pedigree.

Syrah Grenache, Saint-Cirice 2008 – Rhone

£4.35

£5.75

£17.50

Gard is on the cusp between the Rhone Valley and Languedoc and the wines combine the ripeness of the Languedoc with the pepper and spice of the Rhone. This is like a mini Chateauneuf – violet scented and full of gutsy, spicy fruit with abundant black fruit notes.

“House Claret”, Chateau Deville 2005 – Bordeaux

£5.60

£7.50

£22.50

From vineyards in the Graves area of Bordeaux and made from the traditional Bordeaux of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Excellent Claret from a very good vintage. Cassis, cedar and the slight hint of ‘forest floor’ on the nose and on the palate good fruit with soft tannins.

Beaujolais-Villages, Domaine de la Plaigne 2009 – Beaujolais

£24.00

Although this is classic Gamay it avoids all of the cliches of boiled sweets and bubblegum! This is deep crimson with vibrant blackberry and cherry fruit and a real hint of earthy structure. Plenty of wine to tackle a steak and charcuterie, but perfect slightly chilled with fish.

Côtes-du-Rhone, Domaine Chapoton 2009 - Rhone

£25.00

Delicious, Syrah- based Rhone from a small vineyard between Avignon and Montelimar.Aromas of violets and soft black fruits with some spice and silky tannins. Another meat friendly red with the versatility to go with most dishes.

Bourgogne Pinot Noir, Domaine Remoissenet 2006 – Burgundy

£28.50

This encapsulates the virtues of mature Pinot Noir with a fascinating bouquet of preserved berry fruits, leather, spice and hints of undergrowth. Good intensity on the palate with black fruits and a touch of game and firm, yet elegant on the finish.

Saint-Julien, Sarget Gruaud Larouse 2007 – Bordeaux

£40.00

The second wine of the legendary Château Graud Larose, this wine exhibits all of the class one would expect. Cassis and pencil box aromas give way to a supple palate with good fruit, notable, but balanced tannins and firm structure on the finish.

Bourgueil “La Binette”, Domaine de la Chevalerie 2007 – Loire

ORGANIC

£24.50

From 25 year old Cabernet Franc vines that give pretty violet-scented wines for earlier drinking. The wine shows brilliant purple colour, with violet and cassis leaf perfume on the nose; you can sense the purity of the cherry cassis organic fruit and refreshingeven succulent palate

Italy& Spain

175ml

250ml

bottle

Tempranillo, Albizu 2009 – Spain

£3.60

£4.75

£14.00

Made from 100% Rioja juice, this is an uncomplicated, joyful wine bursting with sweet damson and soft plum fruit, but with enough structure to go with a wide selection of food.

Rioja Montesc, Bodega Classica 2008 – Rioja, Spain

£5.30

£7.10

£20.00

This traditionally made Rioja is 75% oak aged wine (Crianza),which gives the wine an additional depth and suppleness. It certainly has the soft vanilla, bramble fruit and silky softness that you expect to find in a Rioja, but it also boasts generous red fruit flavours with some firmness on the finish to lend gravitas.

Chianti dei Colli Senesi, Innocenti 2007 – Tuscany,Italy

£25.00

Made from Sangiovese and Canaiolo Toscano this is classic Chianti. A lovely meaty style of wine with flavours of spicy red cherries, roasted herbs, leather and liquorice and with the firm, dry finish that is so typical of wines from this area. This wine needs food think red meat either from the grill or slow-cooked.

New World

Cabernet Sauvignon, Casa Azul 2009 – Rapel Valley, Chile

£4.25

£5.50

£16.50

Dark red with a touch of purple with some cherry scents and a hint of chocolate. On the palate it has some richness and soft tannins. This is a bit bolder than an easy drinker and with the underlying structure is ideal to go with a burger, sausages and cheese.

Shiraz Malbec, Villa Vieja 2009 – Mendoza, Argentina

£4.75

£6.25

£18.00

The perfect combination of grapes to offer bags of ripe berry fruits, pepper and spice, with sweet tannins and a lingering finish. The Shiraz gives the spicy, minty fruit with hints of eucalyptus whilst the Cabernet offers some balance and structure

Sandford Estate, Shiraz 2008/9 – Victoria, Australia

£22.50

The great joy of this wine is that as it is not over-oaked you can enjoy the purity of the flavours of the Shiraz. Deepred with purple hues, notes of eucalyptus and spice ,ripe fruit flavours of plum, raspberry and liquorice with integrated toasty oak, vanillin flavours and soft tannins.